Three women face intimidation charges

Three New Castle women - two of them already facing numerous drug-related charges - have been accused of threatening kill another local woman and her family.

Whitney J. Chesher, 32, and Ashley L. Martin, 28, were arrested in April on allegations that they sold heroin to agents for the Henry County Drug Task Force.

According to a police report, Chesher and Martin on June 12 called Martin's sister, Lindsey N. Smith, from the Henry County jail. Smith then placed a three-party call to a New Castle woman Chesher accused of providing information about her criminal activities to police.

In the call - recorded at the jail - Chesher profanely told the woman she intended to "murder you."

"I don't care if it takes 10 years from now," the jail inmate added, saying if her bond in the drug case was reduced, she would "kill you and your whole --------- family."

At one point in the conversation, Chesher identifies herself by name - albeit with a profane middle name - and says she doesn't care if she's being recorded.

In connection with the June 12 incident, Chesher, Martin and Smith have each been charged with intimidation, a Class D felony carrying a standard 18-month prison term, and harassment, a misdemeanor.

On Tuesday, the three women received a Nov. 27 trial date in Henry Circuit Court 2.